Vitamins & Nutritional Supplements for Emphysema

NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) helps break down mucus. For that reason, inhaled NAC is used in hospitals to treat bronchitis. NAC may also protect lung tissue through its antioxidant activity. Oral NAC, 200 mg taken three times per day, is also effective and improved symptoms in people with bronchitis in double-blind research. Results may take six months. NAC does not appear to be effective for people with COPD who are taking inhaled steroid medications.

L-carnitine has been given to people with chronic lung disease in trials investigating how the body responds to exercise. In these double-blind trials, 2 grams of L-carnitine, taken twice daily for two to four weeks, led to positive changes in breathing response to exercise.

In a double-blind study, people with COPD received creatine or a placebo for 12 weeks. After the first 2 weeks of supplementation, all participants underwent an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. Compared with the placebo, creatine significantly increased muscle strength, muscle endurance, and overall health status, but not exercise capacity. The amount of creatine used in this study was 5 grams three times a day for 2 weeks, and then 5 grams once a day for 10 weeks.

A review of nutrition and lung health reported that people with a higher dietary intake of vitamin C were less likely to be diagnosed with bronchitis. As yet, the effects of supplementing with vitamin C in people with COPD have not been studied...